By MATT PATNEAUDE

To kick-off the 30 day countdown to the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, 30 local schoolchildren joined Earth Day representatives from several local organizations on March 22 at Meridian Park in Wallingford. The students, from St. Benedict Elementary and the Meridian School, unveiled an Earth Day art project and presented their Top 30 Kids' List of Environmental Wishes for a Better Seattle. The event was the first in a series of opportunities over the next month for local residents to get involved in Earth Day and related environmental activities.

CREEK WEEK 2000

Creek Week 2000 celebrations will begin on April 15 and culminate on Earth Day, April 22. It is part of Seattle's Millennium Urban Creeks Legacy program and is being presented by Seattle Public Utilities and KING-5.

On Monday, April 17, the Broadview neighborhood will host two Creek Week 2000 celebrations. At 10 a.m., citizens and students from Viewlands Elementary school will begin an educational hike at 3rd Ave. NW and 105th St. NW. This is the area of the new Viewlands Cascades, a cascading series of pools created by Seattle Public Utilities to filter sediments and pollutants out of storm water runoff. This interpretive tour of Pipers Creek will be a chance to learn about the restoration efforts of community groups and the City of Seattle. The hike will culminate at the Carkeek Park Educational Center.

From 5 p.m.-8 p.m., a celebration will take place in the 11700 block of 2nd Ave NW to highlight the Street Edge Alternatives (SEA) project in the Pipers Creek watershed. Along this block, Seattle Public Utilities will install a naturalistic drainage system that utilizes landscaping and swales as opposed to traditional curb and gutter systems. This innovative design minimizes oil and sediment in street runoff. The block party will include music, food, and an environmental expo.

Creek Week will conclude on Earth Day, April 22, with a celebration in the Thornton Creek Watershed. The event will run from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Volunteers should check in at the Creek Volunteer Station which will be located behind the Spaghetti House at 98th Ave. NE and Lake City Way NE. Volunteers will be able to help with restoration work at more than 10 locations along Thornton Creek. Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided.

SEATTLE PARKS EVENTS

Baker Park in the Crown Hill neighborhood will be having a spring spruce up on Earth Day, April 22. Residents are encouraged to help with the annual clean-up of their local park. Baker Park is located at Mary Ave. NW and NW 83rd St. The event will run from 9:30 a.m.-noon. For more information contact Theresa McEwen at 615-0691.

Carkeek Park Earth Day Restoration Project will take place on April 22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The event will include an interpretive walk, removal of invasive plants, and a wrap-up lunch. Participants should wear work clothes and sturdy shoes or boots. E-mail treemendous_seattle@yahoo.com or call 985-6867 to confirm.

One week after Earth Day, on April 29, Carkeek Park will be hosting a clean-up and service project. There will also be a ceremony to honor the late Hazel Wolf by dedicating a grove of hazelnut trees. The event will happen from 9 a.m.-noon. Call Theresa McEwen at 615-0691 for more information.

Seattle Parks' Woods Legacy program is currently taking place. Volunteers can join an existing park group to rescue recently planted trees from invasive plants, work on trails, and plant new trees. Monthly work parties are also available to the public through the Adopt-A-Park program. Call 233-3979 for more information.

SEATTLE AUDUBON

Volunteers are needed at Magnuson Park to help with a hands-on urban habitat enhancement project. Pulling invasive plants, making signs, constructing educational areas, restoring trails, and planting native species are some of the opportunities available. The next work parties will be taking place on Sunday, April 9, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m and Thursday, April 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tools are provided. For more information call Lauren Braden from Seattle Audubon at 523-8243x14 or e-mail laurenb@seattleaudubon.org. Magnuson Park is located at Sand Point Way and 65th Ave. NE.

LAKE CITY FLORIST

In celebration of Earth Day, Lake City Florist is taking your unwanted vases.

Clean out your sheds and kitchen cubbards. Recycle your old unused vases and other decorative containers that could be used in florist presentations.

In exchange for each vase, Lake City Florist is offering a "Lake City Florist Dollar" good towards purchases made at their store in Pinehurst at 11742 15th Ave NE.

Lake City Florist is also a Green Works Member business, meaning they minimize waste and recycle at least 40% of waste. Recycled products are used in their production as well.